A round up of our bird ringing activities, birding trips and other wildlife sorties within the UK and whenever we get chance, elsewhere.

Wednesday, 14 September 2016

Getterön Fågelstation - 12th & 13th September 2016

A more promising day with a light South Easterly wind and no rain in the forecast. Nets were dropped a little earlier than planned, the result of being woken 45 minutes before the alarmclock was set for when an alarm was set off somewhere in the distance. It sounded so close that we were convinced it was coming from the Naturum building but after investigation this was not the case and without time to get back to sleep we dropped the nets for 5am.

There was a notable change in the birds today, the last two days the reedbed was quite prominant with quite a few Acros, today it was more or less producing little with the birds being more focused in the bushes. There had been an influx of Robins and a few more Chiffchaff than of late. A group of five Fieldfare dropped in during the late morning and one remained to the end of the day.

We attempted a roost but only three birds were seen to drop into the reedbed, one of these being caught. We noted that Starlings are beginning to roost in small numbers. Having only one bird to process, we then set two nets for owls but were unsuccessful this evening.

Juvenile Robin

This young Woodpigeon has been around the house ever since we arrived.

A second day with a light South Easterly wind in the morning. The first round was rather disappointing with only a handful of birds. The second round produced a little more including a Fieldfare that had been drawn to one of the audiolures and a number of Reed Bunting from the reedbed. Chris had changed the soundtrack after so few Reed Warblers were caught, seen or heard on the first round. Numbers of Blackcap and Garden Warbler are dropping, but there were more Chiffchaff today. Meadow Pipit was the leading species and a Yellowhammer that was caught with them provided a little extra diversity on a day that brought our largest total of new birds yet.

About us

We have both been birders for about 30 years based in South Bucks near the West London reservoir complexes.

We have done our bit of twitching in the past, but with other priorities this has become a much reduced activity with a preference for seeing new birds where ever our travels take us.

We regularly visit Cyprus.

We both have been ringing since 2005. Our local group is the Runnymede RG. Chris is a member of the North Thames RG and we have associations with Birdlife Cyprus Ringing scheme, East Yorkshire, Farlington, NOA, North Norfolk Farmland Study and Swale Wader RGs.

We operate sites at Stanwell Moor just west of Heathrow airport and Black Park County park, Bucks. We also do ring at home, and a couple of other local sites. We also ring with our RG at Chobham Common, Hilfield reservoir and at the Wraysbury GP complex.

Chris also has an interest in Butterflies and contains his limited photographic skill to them.

Ringing Recoveries

Merlin Ringing Supplies

We are new in providing Mist Nets and at this stage, have a restricted range and stock in hand is limited. We hope to be able in time a variety of net sizes. We also aim provide a selection of items that you will find useful during ringing activities. If we do not supply a particular item, we aim to try and direct you to the right supplier.www.merlinringing supplies.co.uk